sissy22

Help! I'm flying to Thailand at the end of October and am looking at flying Thai Air or Cathay as each of their economy airfares is about $830 right now. In someone else's message, he mentioned that Thai Air's economy class has a 37" pitch, which is one of the most generous. Does anyone know what the pitch is on a Boeing 777 (economy class)? And, of course, which of these two airlines would you recommend? Us tall folks need the legroom!!!!!!

glorialf

It depends on which flight you're on. They are not all the same. Where are you flying from? If you're from the east coast you should definitely fly Thai because it flies nonstop from NY and the plane that does that has the very generous economy.

A major factor in your decision should be which airline can get you there in the least amount of time. Neither economy is good enough to spend extra hours flying or changing planes.

rkkwan

As glorialf says, not all flights have the same pitch. Thai's JFK-BKK non-stop on the Airbus 340-500 does have 37" pitch in coach. However TG's other N. American service, BKK-KIX-LAX is on a 747-400, and from what I gather, economy seat pitch is 34", which is better than most airlines.

However, no personal video screen in coach on either their 747 or 777.

Peteralan

I've travelled on both and like them both. Cathay recently voted no.1 Airline and Thai voted best food. My understanding is that Cathay's Economy Boeing 777 seats have a 32" pitch and 17.5 wide. Have fun whichever you decide on.

hobbes

Cathay def has newer generation planes esp on US routes hence personal video screens (which I find very useful on long haul flts). However, Gloria's comment re length of flt and timings is the most critical. Decide based on which is most convenient.

StanKase

Thai Air has Premium Economy from JFK for $1400. While that is 45% more you have seats that are almost of the size of US domestic Business Class. Also, as mentioned the JFK-Bangkok is 16 hrs 15 minutes going and 16 hrs. 50 minutes both non-stop so I think you will arrive more rested in Premium and considering the time change you have to judge is that worth ~$500 RT more.

BillT

Check out EVA AIR Evergreen deluxe Class- its a few hundred more than coach but well worth it as the seats are wider and there is much more legroom. Not exactly true business class but then again neither is the fare! We have flown them to bangkok and manila and swear by this service. I am 6'2" and can sleep, cross my legs stretch etc.

Jed

FYI - For the actual stats on Thai Premium Economy Class vs regular EC, for JFK-BKK, check out <b>http://linkwrap.com/3682</b>
and <b>http://linkwrap.com/3684</b>

StanKase

Jed; As of Nov. the Premium Economy will have leg room of 46&quot; and pitch of 140&quot;. We are going in March 2006. A minor difference to us is the meal service but they say it will be a bit (I am not sure what that means) more elaborate than regular economy and severed at about 6:00 PM which works for us having taken off at noon.Then 2 magic sleeping pills and 7 hours of sleep.
Also, they will have several more channels on T.V. which means nothing to us.
But when our 24 day trip is costing $18,000+/- the extra $800/couple is not &quot;really&quot; that significant. I am not bragging, just being practical and hopefully a bit more comfortable and rested when we arrive non-stop at 4:30 PM in Bangkok.

laurieco

Has anyone noticed that the two Thai websites that Jed put up links to are contradictory? One says Premium Economy has 43&quot; pitch and the other says 42&quot;. As for regular economy, one says 37&quot; pitch and the other 36&quot;. What is this about??? I realize it's only an inch but on a 17 hour flight, every inch counts.

Jed

Indeed, there is a difference in the 2 descriptions. I might tend to believe the technical site, as the press release might tend to 'stretch' the truth.

I am considering the Premium seats for a trip late Oct. StanKase - where did you get the info about the 46&quot; pitch in Nov?

Has anyone actually sat in the Premium seat?